Tens of thousands of people participated in the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow, making it ‘Scotland’s largest weekend of running.’ More than 30,000 runners gathered in the city on Sunday, October 6, to take part in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run.
The day kicked off with the elite wheelchair race, followed by waves of runners setting off between 8.30am and 8.58am. The half marathon runners started at 10am, with the final wave leaving at 12pm. Scottish long-distance runners Callum Hawkins and Natasha Phillips claimed first place in the men’s and women’s half marathons.
The top three finishers in the men’s half marathon were Callum Hawkins, Tewelde Menges, and Andrew Heyes. In the women’s half marathon, Natasha Phillips took the lead, followed by Nynke Mulholland-Stümmer and Brogan Wallace. Jamie Burns, Taha Ghafari, and Ross Good secured the top spots in the men’s 10km race, while Kirsty Walker, Saoirse Mcnulty, and Josie Wren Golder led the women’s 10km race.
Heart Radio hosts Desk Clarke and Jennifer Reoch, along with STV weather presenter Sean Batty and Glasgow Warriors’ players Duncan Weir and Kyle Steyn, added to the excitement of the event. Runners had the chance to pass by Glasgow landmarks and even run over the Kingston Bridge before crossing the finish line at Glasgow Green.
Paul Foster, the chief executive of The Great Run Company, praised the participants for their incredible achievements and the vibrant running atmosphere in Glasgow. Many runners were raising funds for personal causes and charity, including a team of journalists supporting the NSPCC, a child protection charity.
The NSPCC provides support services like Childline, which aids in eliminating child abuse in the UK. The Glasgow office assisted around 8,200 Scottish children last year. The Glasgow Times team, comprised of journalists from various publications, raised funds for the NSPCC during the event.
Participants like Eszter Tarnai, Stewart Paterson, and Marissa MacWhirter shared their positive experiences of running for a good cause. The Glasgow Times’ fundraiser has raised £416 to support the NSPCC’s work, which spans 38 years.
Overall, the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow was a successful and heartwarming event that brought the community together in support of important causes. The organizers look forward to hosting the run again next year, continuing to promote health, fitness, and charity in the city.
